It seems that we writer types, as well as other artists, are always addressing creative inspiration issues. Most common, from what I’ve seen, are writer’s block, distractions (other projects, kids, pets, telemarketers…) and scheduling conflicts. But what about our “other creative self”?

Take a look at a few writer’s profiles. This will most likely work with other types, but we’ll stick to writers for this example.

Done? Great!

Did you happen to notice that most, if not all, mentioned an artistic ability/commitment/interest other than writing? If your answer is “no”, then I know that you didn’t actually check.

Now, in my opinion, all but one would be considered creative talents/interests (yes, I consider “being a nice guy” a creative talent at times. Wouldn’t you agree?).

To add to that list, I also paint (oils), dabble in photography, re-engineer anything I can take apart, cook with a wild imagination and cut/chip/shave/join/turn wood into furniture and artistic pieces.

No, I’m not trying to boast. Most creative people I know have at least that many creative interests/talents.

This is the part where I get to make my enormously profound statement and, at the same time, justify my lack of recent blog posts. (Call it “creative justification”?)

Okay, so we’ve determined that I’m a typical creative type in that I have more than one creative interest. But how do they conflict? How do my writing efforts suffer from all the time and energy I put into my music?

They don’t. Why would they? They actually benefit from it. Nothing is more relaxing and rejuvenating than good music. So I pick up my guitar and play.

By the time I’m done with that break I can usually tap out words at double speed for a while. The other benefit is that I’ve actually gotten to the point where I’m spending almost as much time as a singer/songwriter as I am writing.

“But, doesn’t THAT take away from your writing efforts?”

Nope.

Though I haven’t posted on my blog for a bit, I’ve actually averaged almost double the daily word count on other writing projects since my “rock star revival” began. Crazy, huh? I’ve gotten a new amp, mic boom and vocal processor. I’ve even added a new Breedlove guitar to my arsenal. I work through my music at least a couple of hours a day, even on “writing days”. I’ve even booked and played live shows, which I haven’t done seriously for years.

Yep, all that time slotted for music now and I still write more than I did before.

I’m not going to get into all the philosophy/psychology that could explain why it works so well. But I do know that I always seem more ready to write after I bang out a few tunes on my guitar. I’ve also noticed that when I go directly from my writing desk to my guitar and microphone, I don’t seem to have much trouble getting that “from the diaphragm!!” thing to work.

My simple conclusion: Art begets art.

What creative things in your life compliment and/or support each other? Let me know in the comments below. I’m looking forward to your thoughts!